HR News

Dear Students, Families, Faculty and Staff:

The landscape of federal, state and local policy guidance related to the COVID health emergency continues to evolve at a rapid pace. We are following these policy changes and amended public health guidelines very closely, to ensure that our ongoing response to the COVID health emergency is informed by the most current science and public policy.

Today’s message addresses some of the recent health policy changes and prevention protocols announced by New York State and federal authorities and is intended to provide clarity as to how those changes are impacting our efforts to ensure the health and safety of our campus and Central New York communities. In this message I will address:

• New York State Guidance to Colleges and Universities
• Mandatory Student Testing
• Vaccine Eligibility and Requirements
• Current Travel Guidance
• Spring Break Travel

Please continue to visit Syracuse.edu/staysafe for the latest news and information, and to review the most up-to-date COVID-19 dashboard.

Clarity on New York State Guidance: New guidance from New York State related to the conditions that would require a “pause” to in-person learning and student activities has generated a lot of news, chatter and word-of-mouth on college and university campuses. I want to provide clarity on how the new guidance impacts us.

On Friday, Feb. 19, New York State updated its guidance for when colleges and universities must go “on-pause” because of COVID infections on campus. Previously, if our campus experienced 100 positive COVID test results over a fixed two-week period, New York State would require that we pause in-person learning and student activities for 14 days. Under the revised guidance, the threshold for the number of positive test results that would result in a mandatory pause is now set at 5 percent of the total on-campus population (over a 14-day period). At Syracuse University, this equates to a threshold of 880 positive test results over a rolling 14-day period. Under New York State guidelines, this new standard applies only to colleges and universities conducting surveillance testing of a minimum of 25 percent of the on-campus population weekly. Currently, the University is testing approximately 75 percent of our on-campus population weekly and will do so for the entire semester.

Though we are grateful for relief from the prior and somewhat arbitrary standard of 100 positive tests, it is important that all members of our community understand that what this change in policy really does is afford the University enhanced discretion to enact public health policies and measures that best align with our unique circumstance. In other words, it is important not to interpret the 880-positive test metric as the single standard by which the University may decide—even absent a mandate from the state—to pause in-person learning given an outbreak of COVID infection on our campus. Instead, moving forward, that threshold will be informed by our own public health experts and the unique situation on campus. Be assured that the Syracuse University Public Health Team will continue to proactively monitor the public health situation on campus and if necessary, those experts may act in advance of a mandate from New York State to introduce restrictions or limitations deemed necessary to protect the safety and well-being of our community.

Testing Is Mandatory for any Student Accessing Campus: Any student who is accessing campus—for whatever reason and regardless of how infrequently—must comply with the weekly testing regimen. This includes those students whose classes are solely online this semester but visit campus to use the dining facilities, fitness centers or other campus resources. Individuals, whether remote students or students who live off campus, are prohibited from accessing campus buildings and facilities without participating in the COVID surveillance testing program. Failure to be tested as required will result in consequences, as previously communicated. To learn more about our testing surveillance program, please review this message from the Public Health Team that was shared on Friday, Feb. 19.

Vaccine Eligibility and Requirements: We continue to receive questions about the state’s vaccination distribution process. There is nothing we want more than for every individual who wants to be vaccinated to get vaccinated. However, as a reminder, New York State—not Syracuse University—makes all determinations related to vaccine eligibility. Eligibility determinations are assigned based on a variety of factors, including the risk associated with workplace exposure and as a function of the availability of vaccine supplied to New York State by the federal government.

Recently, New York State announced that those with certain underlying medical conditions are now eligible. The full list of qualifying comorbidities and underlying conditions is available on the New York State website. For those who may qualify, you can confirm your eligibility, review frequently asked questions and register for the vaccination (when appointments are available) on the New York State eligibility tool website.

At the moment, only New York State, county health departments, pharmacies and hospitals are distributing the vaccine. Syracuse University has applied to the state to be an employer point of distribution in the event that vaccine supplies improve and eligibility for the vaccine is expanded. The New York State vaccination plan is evolving as vaccines become more available. The Syracuse University Public Health Team will continue to share new information as we receive it, including updates and changes impacting the vaccine eligibility and the availability of vaccination resources in our community.

Current Travel Guidance: Travel for University purposes remains limited to essential purposes only. Personal travel is also strongly discouraged to limit the risk of importing contagion into the Central New York community. In all cases, New York State guidance for traveler quarantine must be observed. Requests to travel for essential research purposes may be made to the vice president for research on the Return to Campus Research webpage. Students are prohibited from traveling outside of Central New York except as noted in the provisions of the Stay Safe Pledge. Travel for other essential reasons may be considered by relevant vice presidents or deans. Potential travelers are encouraged to contact the Office of Global Safety and Support at satucker@syr.edu or 315.443.1968 to discuss options. In all cases, those traveling for University purposes or students traveling for essential personal reasons should register their travel on the Syracuse University Travel Registry website.

Spring Break Travel: With the above guidance in mind and given the suspension of spring break this year, I want to remind our students to avoid making travel plans out of state. We are aware that some travel companies are already marketing travel packages to students. Per the Stay Safe Pledge, you are advised to remain here in Central New York; those who violate this provision may compromise the health and wellness of our students, faculty, staff and neighbors—and you may also face disciplinary sanctions for violating the Stay Safe Pledge.

I want to once again express my gratitude to those of you who are working hard to ensure that we all experience a safe and meaningful academic semester. We cannot let our guard down—not for even a single moment. It is everyone’s job to keep our campus community and neighbors safe, healthy and well.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Haynie
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation

Dear Faculty and Staff: Since March of last year, New York State has reported experiencing a significant increase in fraudulent unemployment benefit claims submitted on behalf of individuals. According to the New York State Department of Labor, as of Feb. 2., there have been over 425,000 fraudulent claims statewide. This includes multiple false claims filed in the names of Syracuse University employees. Fraudulent claims are being investigated by law enforcement at the federal, state and local level. The University is taking all necessary precautions to identify potential fraudulent unemployment claim activity. Please be aware that:  If you are personally impacted, you may receive notification from New York State with instructions about how to respond to a fraudulent unemployment claim. If the Office of Human Resources receives a potential fraudulent unemployment claim or inquiry on your behalf, HR Shared Services will contact you with further instructions. HR Shared Services is notifying New York State of all unemployment fraud cases that involve the University. If you become aware of an unemployment claim fraudulently filed on your behalf, please contact the New York State Department of Labor New York State Department of Labor. Additional resources on safeguarding faculty and staff against fraud and identity theft can be found on the Office of Human Resources website. Please contact HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042 or by emailing HR Shared Services if you have any additional questions or concerns. Sincerely,

Andrew R. Gordon
Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer

Dear Members of the Orange Community:

We are not yet two weeks into the spring semester, and we already find ourselves approaching the threshold of 100 positive COVID-19 cases in a two-week period. When and if we do, the University will have no choice but to go “on pause” as mandated by the state of New York. This means no in-person learning or student activities for two weeks, perhaps longer, and fewer of the opportunities that make being a student here so special.

To the vast majority of our students who are following the Stay Safe Pledge—getting tested and protecting our community—I say thank you. You have done the right things. You have shown respect to your fellow students, your families and our community. You have shown that this can be done.

To our students who continue to host and attend large parties and ignore public health guidelines, I don’t know what more anyone can tell you. Your actions put your health and the health of others at risk. Your actions put the semester for the entire campus at risk. Your actions put the Central New York community at risk. And your actions put your status here on campus at risk. No matter who you are—a member of the Greek community, a student-athlete or anyone else—if you break the rules, discipline will follow.

We are at a pivotal moment. I know this pandemic has been hard for everyone in different ways. And I know you are fatigued by it all. That makes remaining here on campus this spring all the more important. And right now, it is at risk. Let’s show respect to one another by recommitting ourselves to following public health mandates and the Stay Safe Pledge. Being put “on pause” may or may not be inevitable at this point. But a spring semester with mostly in-person experiences is still within your control.

Sincerely,
Chancellor Kent Syverud

Dear Students, Families, Faculty and Staff:

Welcome back to campus and to the Spring 2021 academic semester! As the new semester gets underway, I am writing to share some important information.

First, however, I want to say thank you to our entire campus community. Many of you continue to sacrifice in service to our academic mission, and in support of our collective efforts to safeguard the health, safety and wellness of our campus and the Central New York Community. The expanded access to the COVID vaccine that we anticipate later this spring and summer gives us a reason for optimism. At the same time, to sustain our residential campus experience this spring will require additional sacrifice and new compromises. To stay open and operating will require—as Chancellor Kent Syverud said in his Winter Message to the University Community—determination and grit. These are qualities you have demonstrated time and again throughout the COVID health emergency. Along with patience and grace, these are attributes we will all need to employ once again in the weeks ahead to successfully navigate what is hopefully the final leg of our pandemic journey. In anticipation of your continued efforts, I want to say thanks.

Whether you are new to campus or returning to Syracuse this semester, please pay close attention to the information contained in this update. We learned a great deal last semester, and we have applied those lessons in the form of new or changed policies and processes designed to minimize the impact of the pandemic on our campus and community. We will update you regularly through these emails and post updates at Syracuse.edu/staysafe.

Today’s message covers important information regarding:

• COVID-19 Testing
  • Stadium Testing Center Hours
  • Six Things to Know About the Upgraded COVID-19 Stadium Testing Center
  • Remote Student Testing
  • Steps to Take Before Testing
• Student Community Reminders
  • Stay Safe Pledge
  • Student Daily Health Screenings
  • Schine Student Center Building Usage
• Access to the COVID Vaccine
• Resources for Responding to COVID-19 Exposure
  • COVID-19 Response Checklists
  • edu/staysafe

COVID-19 Testing Link

Stadium Testing Center Hours: The Stadium Testing Center will operate with enhanced hours, including evening and weekend availability.

• Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wednesday evening from 5 to 10 p.m.
• Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Six Things to Know About the Upgraded COVID-19 Stadium Testing Center: A recent SU News story highlights some of the process improvements and changes made at the testing center since the fall semester. Read about the new SalivaDirect testing method, in-house lab analysis, expanded eligibility and more.

Remote Student Testing and Campus Access: We recognize that some of our students have chosen to learn in a fully remote capacity this semester. Remote students who are in Central New York are still encouraged to take advantage of the Stadium Testing Center resources. As a reminder, any student who intends to access campus resources or facilities (classrooms, laboratories, libraries, fitness centers, etc.)—no matter how infrequently—is required to be tested weekly. Individuals, whether remote students or students who live off campus, are prohibited from accessing campus buildings and facilities without participating in the COVID surveillance testing program. Failure to be tested as required will result in consequences, as previously communicated.

Steps to Take Before Testing: In order for our laboratory to provide you with a COVID surveillance test result, it is important to provide an adequate and non-contaminated saliva sample by following these simple instructions:

• Do not eat, chew gum, drink, use mouthwash or use any tobacco products for 30 minutes before testing.
• Deposit enough saliva to reach the line marked on your tube.
• Be sure you only deposit saliva into the tube (not mucus or phlegm).
• It is recommended to hydrate well earlier in the day before you test to prevent dry mouth.

If you do not follow these instructions closely, there is a chance that your sample can’t be analyzed. In such an instance, you will be notified to return to the Stadium Testing Center to provide a new sample. If you have questions, please ask a testing assistant for help. For more information, please watch this short video.

Student Community Reminders Link

Stay Safe Pledge: Now that the spring semester is underway and the vast majority of our community is back on campus, it’s important that we remind ourselves of and recommit to best health practices. For our students, the Stay Safe Pledge provides clear details regarding what’s expected this semester, including, but not limited to:

• Wear a mask;
• Maintain social distance;
• Get your flu shot;
• Limit gatherings;
• Monitor for symptoms and complete the Daily Health Screening;
• Do not travel outside of Central New York unless deemed essential;
• Participate in testing and contact tracing procedures immediately and honestly; and
• Adhere to all directives from state and local authorities and the University.

Student Daily Health Screening: As a reminder, in accordance with the Stay Safe Pledge, all students are required to complete the Daily Health Screening in the Patient Portal prior to accessing campus. Students receive a daily reminder email about completing the screening. For students living on campus, including on South Campus, the screening must be completed seven days a week. For students living off campus, you must complete the screening every day you plan to come onto campus, including attending in-person classes or activities, entering campus facilities or working on campus. The screening includes a few questions related to potential exposure and symptoms of COVID-19. The data collected is used to monitor the health of our campus community to minimize the risk of COVID-19 exposure on campus, as well as to provide students who may be experiencing symptoms with the necessary steps to seek care.

Schine Student Center Building Access and Usage: With the reopening of the transformed Schine Student Center, we understand that you are eager to visit and make use of the many enhanced features and spaces within the building. It is critical that we continue to adhere to all public health guidelines to ensure we can continue to use this space throughout the spring semester. This means:

• eating and drinking in the designated dining and café areas only;
• following all occupancy and seating limits as posted;
• adhering to directives provided by staff;
• limiting your visit to no more than two hours; and
• maintaining social distance, especially while in line for food.

Please review all health and safety protocols prior to accessing the building.

Access to the COVID Vaccine Link

Vaccine Eligibility and Requirements: As we have stated previously, New York State—not Syracuse University—makes all determinations related to vaccine eligibility. Eligibility determinations are assigned based on a variety of factors, including the risk associated with workplace exposure, and as a function of the availability of vaccine supplied to New York State by the federal government.

Recently, New York State announced that those with underlying medical conditions will be eligible beginning Feb. 15, 2021. The full list of qualifying comorbidities and underlying conditions is available on the New York State website. For those who may qualify, you can confirm your eligibility, review frequently asked questions and register for the vaccination (when appointments are available) on the New York State eligibility tool website.

The New York State vaccination plan is evolving as vaccines become more available. The Syracuse University Public Health Team will continue to share new information as we receive it, including updates and changes impacting the vaccine eligibility and the availability of vaccination resources in our community.

Resources for Responding to COVID-19 Exposure Link

COVID-19 Response Checklists: Quickly identifying, isolating and tracing instances of COVID-19 exposure is critical to mitigating the spread of the virus. As a reminder, the University developed a series of COVID-19 checklists for students, faculty and staff to provide direction in situations where a member of the Syracuse University community has tested positive for or suspects they have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus.

The checklists, including a downloadable and printable PDF, can be found on the Stay Safe website. The checklists cannot fully address the unique nature of every situation and are intended to provide general guidance related to the most appropriate and required actions in response to positive test results or suspected exposure to the virus. Members of the community should contact the Syracuse University COVID-19 Project Management Office (PMO) at 315.443.6180 or SUcovid@syr.edu with additional questions or concerns or to receive further guidance.

Information Hub: I encourage you to bookmark Syracuse.edu/staysafe. This site will continue to be the hub for information about campus operations, public health and safety, testing information and the Syracuse University COVID-19 Dashboard. The dashboard has also undergone some revisions based on feedback we have received from the community. I hope you find the updated dashboard helpful and easy to navigate.

There’s no doubt this semester will present us with challenges. I also have no doubt that we can overcome any challenge together. I look forward to the months ahead and wish you a safe, healthy and successful semester.

Sincerely,

J. . Michael Haynie
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation

Chancellor Kent Syverud shared his 2021 Winter Message to the University Community in a virtual message, recorded in the K.G. Tan Auditorium in the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building at Syracuse University.

Below is the text of his remarks.

Greetings from the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building at Syracuse University. I’m coming to you from the K.G. Tan Auditorium. It is a spectacular space. It’s empty today, but soon pandemic conditions permitting it will host all kinds of events. Memories and history will be made here. Our ROTC commissionings, convocations will be held here. Lectures and seminars will be delivered here. Leaders from around the world will come together here. I can’t wait for you all to experience this.

I usually deliver a winter message in a room together with many of you, the pandemic is stopping us from doing that today but all of us who are orange, we’ve gotten pretty good at finding new ways of doing things. We improvise and we get it done as we will once again this semester.

Our spring semester has officially begun at Syracuse University. Your university is strong today, we are poised for an even stronger tomorrow. I know this because of the way our community has come together over the last year. I know this because of the unstoppable orange spirit of our community. And I know this because of the opportunities that lie before us and our willingness to act on them boldly. I am grateful like so many of you that we are able to welcome the vast majority of our community back to this campus for the spring semester. It has been a long road to get here. It is the determination of so many that is making this semester possible. Our faculty, our staff have worked hard to ensure that no matter where you are in the world, you can be part of the Syracuse University family. I appreciate all of you. We are here today because of you and because of your tireless efforts. Thank you.

I am also grateful for what we, as a university, were able to accomplish this past fall semester. I believe it was the hardest semester our university has faced in our lifetime. I think historians will agree. Our community has surely faced difficult times before, Pan Am 103, the height of the Vietnam War and other challenges. But there was more collective stress on our entire university this past summer and fall than any other semester in our memory. As a community, we rose to the occasion, we are ready to do it again and show the world how it is done.

The global pandemic has disrupted so much in our lives yet Syracuse University, students, faculty, staff, alumni, fans and friends have met every challenge and we have done it as one orange community. Being orange is not something are given or born with, it’s something you earn. Today, I want to share some stories of how our orange community has displayed grit and grace and greatness. These qualities will shape how we face the world this semester and these qualities will continue to shape our university long into the future. Grit, grace and greatness, I see these qualities every day in our people.

Start with grit. Grit is courage in the face of challenges, it is persistence in the face of obstacles and setbacks, it is demonstrating resilience, fortitude, and perseverance in the most difficult of times. This pandemic has tested our grit in extraordinary ways. So many things are harder than before. We have experienced losses of jobs, of experiences, of loved ones. We have missed milestones, we’ve missed celebrations. We are distanced from friends and family. Grit pushes back on these challenges in different ways, it is what we do every day that has now become routine. Getting tested, social distancing, washing our hands, wearing our masks. It is all of the extra work we do to offer classes in person, online and sometimes both at the same time. It is rethinking how we use spaces for labs and rehearsals and activities and athletics. It is our alumni, donors and friends who have stepped up to support the University and our students during challenging economic times, whether through Syracuse Responds or giving to scholarships. These ways of being part of the Syracuse University community are essential, especially now.

Grit reveals itself when we create ways to do things we have never done before. Back in October, we needed to pivot some of our public health protocols to keep our community safe. And we needed people to help us make this pivot happen. Zach Baxter, a senior and a member of our ROTC Corps asked what he could do to help. He had volunteered earlier in the semester with the public health team. Zach reached out to Program Manager Pruthvi Kilaru, in our department of public health. Within 24 hours, Zach and his fellow ROTC cadets were ready to train in the safe collection, registration and pooling of COVID testing samples. We needed to move quickly here, we needed the people to make it happen, Zach and his fellow cadets stepped up to keep our community safe.

Grit is also Tiana Mangakahia. Tiana is a member of our women’s basketball team. She returned to the court this year, after a courageous battle with cancer. She hadn’t played in an intercollegiate game for more than 600 days when she stepped back on the court in November. That night she scored 16 points, had seven rebounds, four steals and three assists. Grit got her there, just like grit got her through her cancer treatment, just like grit is keeping her and all our student athletes motivated and focused through another season that is regularly disrupted by the pandemic.

Grit may be what we do, but grace is how we do it. When someone challenges our thinking or says something that strikes us at first as wrong, grace is extending the patience to have a conversation. Grace opens our hearts and minds to make sure we understand someone else’s point of view. Grace is sometimes as simple as giving our fellow classmate or colleague the benefit of the doubt. Now more than ever, grace is going out of our way to help someone else. We saw grace in how so many in our orange community came together around a contentious national election to discuss the hard issues and respecting those with whom they disagreed. We also saw grace demonstrated by our work study students and our graduate students in the Setnor School of Music. they worked through complex schedules and social distancing guidelines so that classes could still take place and rehearsals could still be held.

Grace is also in people like Nel Gaudé, a master’s student in food studies saw needs in our community and decided to help working with the Syracuse Onondaga Food Systems Alliance. Nel developed a Food Policy Council to organize and connect people with emergency food. So many are suffering right now, and Nel is finding ways to meet the needs of underrepresented communities in Syracuse. Professor Evan Weissman, who passed away last semester, connected Nel with these community groups. Together, they are continuing to practice what Professor Weissman taught us about food security and social justice.

I am certain that this semester will continue to test our grace. While the vaccine has arrived, we will need to continue to exercise diligence and patience. Even now the number of individuals who are eligible is far higher than the number of vaccine doses that are available. We need everyone to get tested more frequently. It may disrupt your day, but it is simple, selfless and shows you care about those around you. All you have to do is show up at the stadium and deposit your saliva. This small act of grace could help protect us, our friends, our campus, and our neighbors from the virus. With continued grit and grace we will get through this semester, but more than that, we will come out of this coming semester thriving and aiming for greatness. Greatness is not what we say, but what we do and we achieve. It is how we make an impact on the world around us. Even during this unusual and challenging year Syracuse University alumni, faculty, staff, and students are changing the world in distinctive and amazing ways.

A Syracuse University law graduate is in the White House, I am proud of that. We can all be proud that all of our Syracuse University schools and colleges produce individuals who rise to the highest levels. We should take pride knowing that leaders and luminaries continue to build their foundation for greatness here at Syracuse University. Greatness is how our work speaks to and shapes the world. Just last week our spectacular artist in residence Carrie Mae Weems was the focus of a virtual forum of experts held by the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The museum is currently exhibiting her work entitled “From Here I Saw What Happened and I Cried.” Her work tells stories of racism and social injustice and gives voice to those who had none.

Greatness also comes when you aim high and ask what if. Zhen Ma, our faculty member in biomedical and chemical engineering worked with a new nano-material approach when he was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California. He asked, what if we could use this system to understand how the heart forms in a human embryo. That question has now led to more than $2.7 million in competitive grant funding to his lab here at Syracuse. And it has resulted in an ethical way to test whether commonly prescribed drugs affect fetal heart development.

We have so many opportunities as a university and as individuals to ask, what if, and what’s next. The answers to these questions will undoubtedly lead to greatness. We’re looking for leadership that asks these tough questions too. Leadership that looks beyond the status quo. We are searching for the next senior vice president for the student experience. This will be someone who confronts the tough questions, the highest hurdles with excitement and with energy and with our students. This new leader will be in place by summer and this new leader will have a tremendous foundation to build upon.

Over the last year, we have completed the first phase of the Stadium Project. And this semester the transformed Schine Student Center is open once again. We did these ambitious projects on time and on budget thanks to a lot of hard work by so many on our campus. We have achieved what our students asked for and what we need now, spaces tailored to students and spaces where we can stay socially distant but together. The stadium and the re-imagined Schine Student Center are spectacular. But as we have seen with the Barnes Center at The Arch, it’s what happens in these spaces that makes an impact. To all our students please enjoy these new facilities, it is how you use them and what you do inside them that will bring greatness to your student experience here

We also need to look for greatness as we shape our culture and our community. Our country continues its reckoning with anti-black racism, we are experiencing a new wave of antisemitism. When members of our community suffer, it is on all of us to respond. This semester we will kick off a university-wide strategic plan for inclusion, diversity, equity, and access. We have the opportunity to make real and lasting changes to how our community addresses discrimination of any kind. We have the opportunity to make our campus more accessible for people with disabilities. We have the opportunity to build an even stronger culture of respect and to deliver an equitable experience for all. This work directly impacts how individuals experience Syracuse University. This work will demand a lot from all of us. It will follow extensive and comprehensive reviews of our current infrastructure. Soon, our community will receive the results of these reviews, this includes a review of our department of public safety led by former US Attorney General Loretta Lynch. It includes the results of the campus climate survey, where we heard from our community and it will include the review conducted by the board of trustees special committee on university climate, diversity and inclusion.

This work will require open minds and open hearts. It will require all of us to acknowledge where we’ve been and where we want to go. And it will require grit and grace to overcome where we’ve fallen short in the past, this work will be a commitment to greatness recognizing we can be better and we will be better. Thinking in terms of greatness is also necessary as we search for our next provost and chief academic officer. This leader will oversee important initiatives in faculty recruitment and retention in development and in academic excellence. We need to look for greatness as we seek to hire new and diverse faculty. We have identified 10 research clusters where we think Syracuse University can be distinctive. Now is the time to invest in the people who will make this happen. Now is the time to invest in the academic and research facilities where this will happen. And now is the time to invest in the collaborations and partnerships that will shape how this happens. Cutting edge fields like quantum information, science, bio inspired materials and living systems and autonomous systems policy are all asking what’s next for our society.

Grit, grace and greatness, let’s manifest all three this semester at Syracuse University. I asked that we all approach the challenges and opportunities we will face together this semester with grit. Let’s treat each other in our community, even when we don’t see eye to eye with grace. Finally, let’s find the potential for greatness in ourselves, in others and in our university as we strive for excellence. We know what orange can do this semester let’s show the world how we do it. Thank you.

American Heart Month, celebrated each February, is dedicated to motivating as many Americans as possible to adopt healthier lifestyles that can help prevent heart disease. As one of the hardest working muscles in your body, it’s crucial to include heart health as a regular part of your self-care routine. There are many steps that can be taken toward a healthier heart, including these offerings from the faculty and staff Wellness Initiative.

Take the 1,500 Jumping Jack Challenge!

Jumping jacks can improve both heart health and strength, thanks to the combination of cardiovascular conditioning and body weight resistance they provide. From Feb. 8-27, join the Wellness Initiative in a Teams group with the goal of achieving 1,500 jumping jacks over 20 days—that’s 75 per day. This challenge is suitable for all fitness levels, and jumping jack variations to help make it more or less challenging will be provided. Learn more or sign up.

What If One Hour a Day Could Change Everything?

That’s the central question of a new 21-day challenge where participants will commit to three 20-minute daily practices to help bring greater balance to daily life. Using the tools of meditation, movement and mindful moments, and with the support of a skilled facilitator, participants will build resilience, increase mindfulness, strengthen heart health and improve their overall sense of well-being. The challenge launches on Feb. 8, so learn more and/or sign up today!

Virtual Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Pilot Program 

Research shows that the simple process of checking and recording your blood pressure at least twice a month over a four-month period may lower blood pressure in those with high blood pressure. Proper nutrition, particularly a reduction in sodium, can help to lower diastolic and systolic blood pressure, as well.

The Wellness Initiative is partnering with the YMCA of Greater Syracuse to offer a Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring pilot program to eligible faculty and staff. The four-month-long program will focus on the practice of home self-monitoring, identifying triggers and adopting healthier eating habits to manage high blood pressure.

Attend an information session on Feb. 10 from noon-12:30 p.m. or Feb. 11 from 1-1:30 p.m. to learn more and see if you qualify.

Know Your Numbers Virtual Seminar

On Feb. 16 from noon-12:30 p.m., join guest speaker Dr. Stephen Cohen from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield to discuss the “big four” numbers when it comes to heart health—BMI, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. Participants will learn what the goal levels are for these metrics and actions one can take to bring them into an appropriate range, if needed. Learn more or sign up.

Get to the Heart of It: Quiz Series

Faculty and staff are invited to participate in the Get to the Heart of It quiz series to boost heart health knowledge and learn valuable tips to ensure a healthy heart. Begin with Heart Health 101 and after submitting their responses, participants will receive an email with the answers, explanations, links to more resources and a link to the next quiz. Good luck!

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

Though the spring semester is fast approaching, the weather remains wintry. This is a good time to remind our campus community of how we make decisions—and how you can stay up to date—regarding weather conditions and University operations. In general, we remain open for business even in challenging weather conditions, but we will always prioritize the safety and well-being of our community members when determining operating status.

Any change in the University’s operating status will be announced via the University’s emergency broadcast notification system and will carry the notice SU WEATHER ALERT. Please be sure your Orange Alert settings are always up to date in MySlice.

SU WEATHER ALERT information will be announced via the following communications channels:

• via campus email;
• via text message;
• via a “crawl” on campus TV monitors and University websites;
• on Twitter: @SUCampus, @SyracuseUNews and @SyracuseDPS;
• on Facebook: @SUCampus, @SyracuseUniversityNews and @SyracuseDPS;
• on syr.edu and Syracuse.edu; and
• via Syracuse University public radio station WAER-FM/88.3 and other local media outlets.

Only Syracuse University’s Internal Communications and Media Relations teams are authorized to transmit to the news media and the campus community announcements about closings, work-schedule changes or class-start delays.

Although Syracuse University rarely closes for inclement weather, individuals must make personal decisions based on a risk assessment related to travel. We encourage all employees to take precautions and use good judgment when traveling to/from work. Faculty and staff concerned about their safety should contact their department chair or supervisor, respectively.

Please note: in the event extreme weather results in the closure of our campus, in-person and hybrid classes will be cancelled; online classes will continue as planned.

The University works with an independent weather service, Precision Weather Service, to inform our decisions about weather delays, closings or work-schedule changes. Input is also provided by the Division of Business, Finance and Administrative Services and Academic Affairs.

For information on winter weather preparedness, visit the Department of Public Safety website.

Sincerely,

Tony Callisto
Senior Vice President and Chief Law Enforcement Officer

John Liu
Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost

Dear Students, Families, Faculty and Staff:

This weekend, Syracuse University will reopen our residence halls and welcome the first group of students back to campus. We are writing to provide specific details about the University’s COVID-19 surveillance testing strategy for the spring semester. While mask wearing and social distancing are critical to stopping the spread of the virus, our surveillance testing program strengthens our collective efforts to safeguard individual and community health and maintain in-person learning and activities throughout the semester. Today, we will address:

• our new testing process and method;
• testing participation and compliance expectations; and
• new guidelines related to testing and exiting quarantine.

As always, please know that we continue to update Syracuse.edu/staysafe on a daily basis, including providing answers to your most frequently asked questions.

Spring 2021 COVID-19 Surveillance Testing Program: The University’s on-campus surveillance testing program has changed in some important ways since the fall semester, including:

• Testing Method: The University has launched two on-campus COVID-19 testing laboratories to significantly expand routine surveillance testing. This includes implementing a new sample collection and testing method developed by the Yale University School of Public Health. This new method, called SalivaDirect, eliminates the mouth swab from the sample collection process. Instead you will deposit a saliva sample directly into a sterile test tube. The University has created a video to educate our community on the new testing center. The major benefit of this method is speed, reducing the time from test to result. Our objective is to return results to students and employees within 24 to 36 hours.
• Frequency of Testing: In the fall, we relied on a random sampling model. For the spring, we will require that 100 percent of our residential student population (living either on campus or off campus) be tested each week. We will also provide recommended testing frequency intervals for faculty and staff that vary based on an individual’s role and position. Additional details related to expectations related to testing frequency and compliance are provided later in this message.
• Testing Center Hours: Beginning Feb. 8, the Stadium Testing Center will operate with enhanced hours, including evening and weekend availability. Hours will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Wednesday evening from 5 to 10 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Participation and Compliance Expectations: To simplify and clarify testing expectations for members of our campus community, we have created six testing categories, each of which corresponds with a specific testing schedule. The categories and associated testing frequencies are as follows:

Students:

Testing for Students Is Mandatory. Students will be notified by email and text message of the date by when to get tested at the Stadium Testing Center.

• Category 1: (Mandatory) All undergraduate and graduate students residing in Syracuse University-owned and operated housing; all resident advisors working within/routinely accessing Syracuse University-owned and operated housing:
  • Once weekly minimum, or as directed given special circumstances.
• Category 2: (Mandatory) All undergraduate and graduate students residing off campus who are routinely accessing campus services and facilities:
  • Once weekly minimum, or as directed given special circumstances.
• Category 3: (Mandatory) All members of the Greek community residing in Greek houses:
  • Once weekly minimum, or as directed given special circumstances.

Faculty and Staff:

Testing for faculty and staff is strongly encouraged, and the recommended frequency of testing is as follows based on the employee’s role and position:

• Category 4: All faculty teaching in-person classes; staff assigned to student-facing roles (i.e. residence hall directors, food services, janitorial, Department of Public Safety, some roles on the student experience team, etc.):
  • Every two weeks minimum, within 14 days of prior test.
• Category 5: All other faculty and staff routinely accessing campus, but not assigned to student-facing roles:
  • Monthly minimum, within 30 days of prior test.
• Category 6: Faculty and staff residing in Central New York, but teaching remotely/not routinely accessing campus:
  • No minimum testing requirement; testing accessible based on employee preference and/or as directed given special circumstances.

The Stadium Testing Center will also continue to support on-demand testing for all members of our community, including family members of our employees, during normal operating hours.

Frequent testing reminders will be sent to students to support full compliance with the surveillance testing program. If a student becomes non-compliant, the University will take the following actions:

• First Violation: The student will be blocked from accessing all University systems (e.g., campus WiFi network, MySlice, course registrations and Blackboard). This block will remain in place until the student complies with the mandatory surveillance testing requirement. Once the student is tested, systems access will be restored, typically within 30 minutes or less.
• Second Violation: The student will be blocked from accessing all University systems. The block on access to University systems will remain in place until the student complies with the mandatory surveillance testing requirement. Once the student is tested, systems access will be restored within 30 minutes or less.
• Third Violation: The student will be blocked from accessing all University systems and receive an automatic referral to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Sanctions for a third violation may include interim suspension and/or probation.

Last semester, too many students disregarded repeated requests to participate in surveillance testing. That indifference undermined the actions of the majority of our students, who routinely demonstrated their commitment to health and safety by being tested on a regular basis.

Testing and Clearance to Exit Quarantine: The New York State Department of Health has adopted a recommendation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that reduces the mandatory quarantine period for those possibly exposed to COVID-19 from 14 days to 10 days. As such, this semester, students and employees directed to a mandatory quarantine by a county health department (in which the diagnostic test is administered) will be issued a 10-day quarantine order.

The CDC guidance also mandates that any individual exiting quarantine after 10 days, must also follow enhanced health precautions (i.e., limiting contact with others, health monitoring, etc.) for a period of an additional four days due to elevated risk. Effective Monday, Feb. 1, the University will introduce an enhanced testing protocol for students and employees subject to a 10-day quarantine order. Specifically:

• For Students: Students who receive a mandatory quarantine order will:
  • Receive a COVID test on the sixth or seventh day of their quarantine period as directed by the COVID Project Management Office.
  • If that test is negative, the student will continue in quarantine status and exit quarantine status after the 10-day requirement has expired.
  • If that test is positive, the student will transition from quarantine to a mandatory isolation status for a period of 10 days.
• For Employees: Employees who receive a mandatory quarantine order will:
  • Receive a COVID test on the fifth or sixth day of their quarantine period.
  • Receive a test on the tenth day of their quarantine.
  • Only if both tests are negative will the employee be cleared by the University to return to work.
  • The University will provide impacted employees access to testing and return to work clearance will be coordinated via HR Shared Services. It remains the employee responsibility and University policy that employees notify HR Shared Services of a positive test.

Thank you in advance for your close attention to the important changes we have made in our COVID-19 surveillance testing program. Your support and commitment to these efforts is critical to ensuring a safe and meaningful campus experience. As always, continue to watch for email updates regarding the Spring 2021 semester.

Sincerely,

Andrew R. Gordon
Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer

1. Michael Haynie
   Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation

Robert D. Hradsky, Ed.D.
Vice President for the Student Experienc

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff and Families:

Over the last several weeks, the University has provided a lot of information about return to campus, including related to move-in, testing, quarantining, campus life, etc. We recognize that all this information can be overwhelming. And so today, instead of providing new information, I am going to use this message to provide answers to some of the most frequently asked questions my colleagues and I have received from students, parents, faculty and staff over the past few weeks. The questions have come to us directly via email from members of our community, and from student/family Zoom sessions we have hosted over the past few days.

In addition, please know that we are updating Syracuse.edu/staysafe daily, including a page that is solely dedicated to answering your questions. As I have done since the beginning of our COVID-related communications, this message is organized based on constituency group, in the following order:

• Campus Community
• Students and Families
• Faculty and Staff

Campus Community

Last semester, classes and activities were held outside to accommodate social distancing. With winter here and the ground covered by snow, what steps are being taken by the University to create space for academic and social activities?

We have worked very hard over the break to create new, indoor gathering spaces that can be utilized by students and staff throughout the winter months. First, the transformed Schine Student Center will reopen on Feb. 8, providing significant space for studying, gathering and social activities. Additionally, the University is finalizing a plan to leverage spaces throughout the Syracuse University stadium for classes, extracurricular activities and social events. We will share more on this plan in the weeks ahead.

Do students, faculty and staff who were previously diagnosed with COVID-19 and are now recovered (prior positive) need to wear masks when they return to campus?

Yes. All members of our community are required to wear a mask or face covering when on our campus. There are no exceptions based on prior COVID positive status.

Who is eligible for the COVID vaccine in Onondaga County?

Consistent with phase 1A/1B of the New York State Department of Health’s vaccination plan, the Onondaga County Health Department is managing and administering vaccine distribution. At this time, the following groups eligible to receive the vaccine include:

• individuals 65 or older;
• instructors teaching in-person classes in the spring (including graduate student instructors);
• clinical staff in the Barnes Center;
• staff employed at the Early Education Child Care Center;
• staff with the Department of Public Safety;
• staff performing responsibilities specific to fire and life safety;
• medical transport staff and SU Ambulance;
• staff in Parking and Transit Services;
• Syracuse University COVID Testing and Response staff; and
• student teachers and supervisors assigned to teach in a local school district during the spring semester.

Individuals under the age of 65 who are not teaching in person this semester, or who do not meet one of the above requirements, are not yet eligible to receive the vaccine. To register for a vaccination appointment through Onondaga County or New York State, please visit the Onondaga County vaccine website to learn more.

Students and Families

Do all students have to be tested prior to returning to campus?

Yes. To protect the health and safety of our campus and community, all students must participate in pre-arrival testing. Students may not move into campus housing without a negative pre-arrival test and students who live in off-campus housing cannot access campus (including classrooms, libraries and fitness centers) without a negative pre-arrival test. Be advised that the pre-arrival testing requirements vary based on the origin of your travel to New York State. Specifically, if you are traveling to New York State from a location subject to the New York State COVID-19 travel advisory, please be sure to review and comply with the pre-arrival testing requirements prescribed by the New York State Department of Health.

Do students who were previously diagnosed with COVID-19 and are now recovered (prior positive) have to receive a COVID test before returning to campus?

The answer to this question depends on the origin of your travel to New York State. Specifically:

1. For students returning to campus from within New York State or from a contiguous state (New Jersey, Massachusetts, Vermont, Pennsylvania or Connecticut): If you have tested positive for COVID-19 within 90 days, you satisfy the University’s pre-arrival testing requirement by submitting documentation of your prior positive result via the Student Patient Portal.
2. For students returning to campus from a non-contiguous state or from outside the U.S., you are subject to the pre-arrival testing requirements detailed in the New York State COVID-19 travel advisory. New York State requires all travelers from non-contiguous states and international locations, including those who have tested positive for COVID-19 within 90 days, be tested within three days of arrival in New York State. If you have recently tested positive, please contact the Barnes Center at barnescenter@syr.edu if you have questions about your compliance with this requirement or need additional guidance.

I got a COVID-19 test within three days of my arrival in New York State, but I haven’t received the result. What should I do?

• You should come to campus for your scheduled check-in and present documentation that you have taken a pre-arrival test, administered within three days of your arrival in New York State.
• When you arrive at the check-in center, you will provide a saliva sample.
• If your check-in is before noon on Jan. 30 and 31, your move-in will be delayed until approximately 5 p.m., pending a negative saliva polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result.
• If your check-in is after noon on Jan. 30 or 31, your move-in will be deferred overnight. You will be referred to University-provided temporary housing overnight until your negative saliva PCR test result is received.
• Once moved in, you will join the required travel quarantine.

I am subject to the New York State travel advisory and tried everything and I couldn’t get a test before I came to New York. What do I do?

• When you arrive at check-in you will provide a saliva sample for a PCR test. However, you will not be cleared to move in or begin quarantine on campus.
• Because you traveled to New York State without documentation of a pre-travel test, you will be required to quarantine at an off-campus location for a mandatory period of 10 days. The University is unable to waive this requirement, as the New York State Department of Health mandates a 10-day quarantine for anyone who travels to the state without documentation of a pending pre-arrival test.
• During this period, you must abide by New York State’s precautionary quarantine requirements.
• You will be provided a list of local hotels with pre-negotiated rates, where you may complete your 10-day quarantine at your expense.
• Upon completion of a 10-day quarantine and a negative saliva PCR test result from the University, you may move into your residence hall.

Do all students have to quarantine when returning to campus?

No. New York State requires a mandatory quarantine period for any individuals traveling from non-contiguous states or international locations. Students from New York or a contiguous state (New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania or Vermont) are exempt from quarantine under the New York State travel advisory.

For individuals traveling from international locations or non-contiguous states, how long is the required quarantine?

The duration of the quarantine period is four days. Individuals can conclude their quarantine on the fourth day upon receiving a negative COVID test result. For those completing their quarantine on campus, Syracuse University will provide testing on the fourth day of the quarantine period.

Can students from non-contiguous states or international locations who live on campus quarantine in a dorm room or an on-campus apartment?

Yes. In coordination with local public health authorities, the University is hosting an on-campus quarantine for students impacted by the New York travel advisory.

• These students will arrive on Jan. 30/31 and begin quarantine in their on-campus housing as soon as all check-in requirements have been met.
• On Feb. 3, all quarantined students will be tested again at the Stadium Testing Center.
• Upon receiving a negative test result, they will be released from quarantine on Feb. 4.
• During the quarantine period, students will generally be restricted to their residence halls, and asked to abide by strict social distancing protocols. Students will be allowed outside for exercise and for grab-and-go food service, under limited and controlled circumstances. Additional quarantine details will be provided at check-in.

Can students who live off campus quarantine in their residence?

Students living off campus and subject to the New York State travel advisory must comply with the mandatory quarantine requirement upon arrival in New York State. Specifically:

• Upon arrival to New York State, off-campus students will need to quarantine in their off-campus residence for four days. Please refer to the New York State travel advisory for quarantine requirements.
• On the fourth day, these students can visit the Stadium Testing Center, where the University will provide the testing required by New York State, to allow students to exit quarantine status.
• Upon receiving a negative test result, students may exit quarantine.
• Please note, students will not have access to campus facilities (beyond the Stadium Testing Center and the Barnes Center Health Care facility) prior to exiting quarantine status.

When can students move into the residence halls and South Campus apartments?

• For students arriving on campus from non-contiguous states or from international locations, move-in dates are Jan. 30-31, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Students must register for a designated move-in time on the MySlice Housing Portal. This group of students is moving in first to allow for on-campus quarantining.
•  For students arriving on campus from New York or a contiguous state (New Jersey, Massachusetts, Vermont, Pennsylvania or Connecticut), move-in dates are Feb. 5, noon to 8 p.m., and Feb. 6-7, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Students must register for a designated move-in time on the MySlice Housing Portal.

Are students facing financial hardship as a result of the pandemic eligible for any kind of financial support from the University?

If you are experiencing financial hardship, support and assistance may be available. Please review the information about emergency funding and complete the financial appeal for U.S. citizens/permanent residents or financial appeal for international students to apply. These requests will be reviewed quickly and based on financial need or hardship.

Faculty and Staff

How do faculty who are eligible for the COVID vaccine prove eligibility?

To support eligible instructors to access a COVID vaccine, the University has established the following process in consultation with the Onondaga County Health Department.

• All eligible instructors (those teaching in person during the spring) are required to schedule an appointment through the county website.
• If you are 65 or older, no additional verification is required. Bring your valid identification card to your appointment.
• Individuals under the age of 65 who are eligible because they are teaching in person this semester should follow these steps:
  • Once you secure an appointment and receive your confirmation email from Onondaga County or New York State, forward that confirmation email to Human Resources at hrservice@syr.edu.
  •  Human Resources will then reply to you with a letter confirming you are a University employee and are teaching in person this semester.
  • You must print this letter and bring it with you to your confirmed vaccination appointment. You will be asked to present a physical copy of this letter upon arrival.

Can faculty and staff get tested as needed?

Faculty and staff may be tested at the Stadium Testing Center at their convenience; no appointment is necessary. Faculty and staff can also find one of the many testing sites in Onondaga County that is most convenient for them by visiting the New York State COVID-19 Test Site Finder. The faculty and staff health plan covers COVID-19 testing conducted at other testing sites.

Can my family get tested on campus?

Yes, family members or loved ones who reside in the same household as a Syracuse University employee are eligible for testing at the Stadium Testing Center. Learn more.

What do I do if a student in my class or someone who reports to me tells me that they have been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19?

We’ve developed step-by-step checklists for employees, supervisors, students, faculty and staff that walk you through exactly what to do in these cases. You can review and download these checklists on the Stay Safe site.

I hope you find this information helpful. You will continue to receive these updates from me and other University leaders as we continue to work toward our return to campus.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Haynie
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff and Families:

The start of the spring semester is quickly approaching, and many in our community are working diligently to prepare for the return of our students and to safely resume in-person teaching and learning. We remain on track and ready to resume residential instruction on Feb. 8, subject to any additional local or state public health mandates. As it relates to our public health and safety planning, we have incorporated many lessons learned from our experiences throughout the fall semester—and new science related to COVID-19—into our preparation for the spring. I’m confident that we’re ready to deliver a meaningful academic and student experience, in a way that safeguards the health and well-being of our campus and the Central New York community.

As was the case in the fall semester, you will continue to receive frequent updates from me and other campus leaders. Today’s message addresses some very important information related to return-to-campus procedures, COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, and other important public health information, including:

For Our Community

• Stadium Testing Center Closed Monday, Jan. 18
• Spring Semester Testing Program
• Contact Tracing Expansion
• Flu Vaccination

For Students and Families

• Check-In, Testing and Quarantining
• Informational Zoom Sessions
• Retrieving Belongings from Campus
• For Students Who Have Received the COVID-19 Vaccine
• Financial Support
• Stay Safe Pledge

For Faculty and Staff

• COVID-19 Vaccine
• Dependent Testing

In addition to my ongoing updates, please be sure to bookmark and visit Syracuse.edu/staysafe regularly. There you will find the latest public health guidance, up-to-date frequently asked questions and a host of other pertinent information.

For Our Community

Stadium Testing Center Closed Monday, Jan. 18: In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, the University’s Stadium Testing Center will be closed on Monday, Jan. 18. The Stadium Testing Center will resume its scheduled hours on Tuesday, Jan. 19: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Spring Semester Testing Program: Robust surveillance testing will be central to sustaining in-person teaching and learning in the spring and is an important strategy supporting the objective of keeping our campus community safe. While we conducted more than 100,000 COVID-19 surveillance tests last semester, our goal is to double or even triple that level of testing throughout the spring. The more we test, the more likely we are to quickly identify and isolate instances of infection on our campus. For that reason, we will routinely test all members of our campus community throughout the spring, based on surveillance testing developed by our public health professionals.

We will share additional details related to the testing protocol and testing frequency in a future message. However, residential students (undergraduate and graduate) should expect to be tested weekly. Compliance with this weekly testing requirement will be mandatory for all students, and students who do not participate in weekly surveillance should expect to have campus access and technology privileges immediately limited or suspended.

Faculty teaching in-person classes and staff engaging with students should be tested, at a minimum, once every 14 days. Faculty and staff accessing campus, but not routinely engaging students, should visit the Stadium Testing Center and be tested at least once every 30 days. Of course, the Stadium Testing Center will also continue to support on-demand testing for all members of our community, and their dependents, during regularly scheduled hours of operation.

Contact Tracing: Another example of where we are applying lessons learned from the fall semester to enhance our public health response relates to contact tracing. Specifically, we have taken steps over the break to expand our contact tracing program, to include:

• Hiring four full-time employees to supplement the Barnes Center staff in support of contact tracing administration and coordination.
• Expanding the current part-time student contact tracing team from 30 to 50.
• Establishing and growing a contact tracing volunteer program that extends to all staff—essentially creating a “reserve force” of contact tracing volunteers who can be called into service as required. Several of our peer institutions, including Duke University, University of Notre Dame and Virginia Tech, have successfully deployed similar programs.

These enhancements will allow us to identify, trace and isolate potential COVID-19 exposures more efficiently and effectively, ultimately enhancing our ability to quickly undercut potential spread of the virus on our campus.

Get Your Flu Shot: If you haven’t received a flu shot, please do so as soon as possible. The majority of students, faculty and staff have been vaccinated against the flu, but we expect all members of the University community to get a flu shot—a critical way to stay healthy, especially during this pandemic.

Students who have not yet submitted proof of vaccination in the Barnes Center Patient Portal or a medical or religious waiver exemption must get a flu shot to attend in-person classes, participate in on-campus activities and use on-campus facilities. Faculty and staff are asked to complete a Flu Vaccine Status Attestation Questionnaire to confirm they’ve received a vaccine or to document a medical or religious exemption. To learn more, faculty and staff can visit the Wellness Initiative website and students and families can visit the Barnes Center website.

For Students and Families

Campus Check-In, Pre-Arrival Testing and Quarantine Requirements: All students, including those living off-campus, need to follow specific check-in and testing procedures to access campus, including attending in-person classes. There are different procedures for students based on where they reside. For students who live in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania or Vermont, please review the check-in procedures and pre-arrival testing requirements based on public health guidance for your location. For students who live in any state outside of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania or Vermont or in an international location, please review the check-in procedures and pre-arrival testing and quarantine requirements based on your location. I encourage students and families to visit our frequently asked questions page, which is updated regularly and can be found at syracuse.edu/staysafe/frequently-asked-questions.

Zoom Sessions for Students and Families: We recognize details and information impacting the return-to-campus process for students can be overwhelming—particularly during the time of COVID-19. To support our students and families, the University will hold a series of virtual information sessions to answer questions regarding the return to campus for the Spring 2021 semester. Like prior to the start of the fall semester, these sessions will feature University leaders and subject matter experts speaking on issues such as testing, quarantine policy, check-in, public health guidance, academic affairs, the student experience, residential life, and student and parent support mechanisms. Sessions will be held on the following dates and times (all times are ET): Jan. 19, 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Jan. 21, 8 p.m.; and Jan. 25, noon and 8 p.m. Each session will last 75 minutes, and questions can be submitted from students and families via the Q&A feature on Zoom. The link to the Zoom sessions will be posted on Syracuse.edu/staysafe on Monday, Jan. 18. For those unable to participate live, the link to the recorded session will be posted on Syracuse.edu/staysafe and on the University’s campus social media channels, including Facebook and Twitter.

Retrieving Belongings if Not Returning for Spring 2021: Students who have decided to participate in distance learning or take a leave of absence for the Spring 2021 semester, and who still have belongings in their on-campus residence, will have an opportunity to retrieve their possessions prior to the start of the semester.

The University will allow students to return beginning Friday, Jan. 22, and through Sunday, Jan. 24, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., to retrieve belongings from their on-campus residence. Any student who plans to come to campus to retrieve their belongings should email housing@syr.edu to schedule a time to return to campus. All students and families will need to follow the applicable rules set out in the New York State travel advisory.

For Students Who Have Received the COVID-19 Vaccine: Students who have received the COVID-19 vaccination during winter break should notify the Barnes Center of their vaccination status. Students will be able to upload their vaccination record to the Student Patient Portal. Instructions on how to upload your vaccination record will be posted to the portal soon. Please note, your vaccination status has no bearing on student compliance with pre-arrival testing or quarantine requirements, or compliance with all other public health protocols required to access the Syracuse University campus.

Financial Assistance: The pandemic has imposed immeasurable challenges for many members of our community, including financial hardship. Be advised that there is support and assistance available to our students facing economic hardship. To learn more about resources, please review information about emergency funding and complete the financial appeal for U.S. citizens/permanent residents or financial appeal for international students to apply. These requests will be reviewed quickly. Decisions are based on financial need and/or hardship. We will do everything we can to ensure our students, regardless of their economic circumstances, return safely to campus to continue their studies.

Affirming the Stay Safe Pledge: All students are expected to re-affirm their commitment to the Stay Safe Pledge before returning to campus. In addition, all students should understand that whether or not they have acknowledged this pledge, failure to comply with the directives may result in a referral to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSRR) for violation of the Code of Student Conduct, which governs individual and group behavior on and off campus. Sanctions for violating the pledge may be found on the OSRR website.

For Faculty and Staff

COVID-19 Vaccination Process: Syracuse University has no authority or standing to make eligibility determinations related to the New York State COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan, nor do we have access to a supply of vaccine for distribution. We recognize that many members of our campus community are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination while some have not yet been declared eligible. Please know: The vaccination distribution process is managed and overseen by the New York State Department of Health, and locally administered by the Onondaga County Health Department. Syracuse University does not have any supply of COVID-19 vaccine, and therefore all eligible employees must register for a vaccination appointment through Onondaga County or New York State. Please visit the Onondaga County vaccine website to learn more.

We will continue to keep our community updated with any new information we receive from local and state officials with respect to changes in guidelines and access to vaccines. We will also continue to advocate for expanded access to the vaccine for our most at-risk employees, currently not included in the state’s eligibility guidelines.

Dependent Testing: Last week, we announced that the University has extended the eligibility for voluntary COVID-19 surveillance testing to the family members of our faculty and staff. This step serves to enhance our community’s ongoing efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19, and is consistent with the University’s ongoing commitment to safeguard the health and well-being of our faculty, staff and their loved ones. Here is everything you need to know:

• Individuals eligible for this testing are family members/loved ones of faculty and staff who reside in the same household as a Syracuse University employee.
• Dependent family members are eligible to be tested at the Stadium Testing Center once every 14 days, and participation is entirely voluntary.
• Testing is a limited and valuable resource, and for that reason we request that family members utilize this new resource judiciously. Family members should only participate in routine surveillance testing if there is a reason to believe that their living or work situation puts them at risk of exposure.
• Individuals experiencing COVID-like symptoms, or who have been formally directed to quarantine by a public health authority due to possible exposure, should not come to campus for testing. Instead, those individuals should contact their primary care provider.
• Family members (who are not Syracuse University employees) must be accompanied by the faculty or staff member with whom they reside when visiting the Stadium Testing Center.
• We ask faculty and staff to ensure that family members adhere to the guidelines above, so that we can maintain the continuity of this important service throughout the remainder of the COVID-19 health emergency.

We look forward to welcoming our community back to campus in early February with new and refined processes and programs in place to enhance safety and sustain health and well-being. We have learned much from our experiences last semester—and from the experiences of others. We are applying those lessons learned, along with the most up-to-date information available from public health experts, to ensure that Syracuse University delivers a fulfilling, successful and healthy spring semester.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Haynie
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation